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ROAD REPORT: Friday in NYC

News, notes and more from the Oilers road trip in New York, including the team meeting GSP

by
Chris Wescott
/ EdmontonOilers.com Head Writer

NEW YORK, NY - It's been quite the trip for Edmonton so far, as they've compiled two overtime wins in Brooklyn (2-1) and New Jersey (3-2). Both game-winning goals came courtesy of the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl connection, with the latter scoring Thursday night against the Devils and the former against the Islanders.

"Anytime you can get the game to overtime and you have two guys like that on your team, you know you've got a chance in overtime," said Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot. "Anytime they have the puck, if they're not creating chances for themselves, opening up space for other guys or tiring out the other team, they're opening up space for everyone else when they jump on the ice. When you have two special players like that in a 3-on-3 situation, you see what they've done the last couple games. It's tough to stop."

SHE SAID, "YES"

It hasn't just been a big trip for the team as a whole, but for individual players as well. Especially Patrick Maroon, who popped the question to his girlfriend Francesca on Wednesday. The two are now engaged.

"It didn't go as smooth as I wanted it to," said Maroon, who took her to Central Park. "She was complaining the whole time, she didn't want to go so I had to bribe her to just keep walking and she still didn't want to go. I guess I had to figure it out somehow. It worked out in the end. She was shocked and surprised."

The big moment hasn't quite sunk in yet, but the two are very happy with how it all worked out.

"I think she's still overwhelmed and it hasn't hit her yet," said Maroon. "Obviously, it's really exciting news for not only me, but my son, my family, and her family. We're excited to move forward, and I guess the wedding planning starts now. We both have something to look forward to. That's a memory that will last the rest of your lives, you get to spend it with some of your family and closest friends."

MEETING GSP

You never know who will turn up on the road in big cities like New York. Players and staff have run into a bunch of celebrities over the years, like actors Tobey Maguire or Craig Robinson, or even other teams from other leagues like the NBA. On Thursday night after the game, some of the Oilers players ran into Canadian UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre at dinner.

"Really, really down to earth," said Talbot. "He came over just to talk to us and said he grew up watching the Oilers and they were his favourite team growing up because of Gretzky, Messier and those guys. It was pretty cool to hear him say that and he was nice enough to take a picture with some of the boys at dinner. It's always nice to meet a guy like that who is really down to earth and friendly."

PULJUJARVI ON HIS WAY

Due to Anton Slepyshev going on IR, the Oilers have recalled Jesse Puljujarvi from the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors.

Puljujarvi has one goal and four assists in five games this season for the Condors. He had three points in his last four games before getting the call.

He wasn't with the team for practice on Friday, but Jujhar Khaira was in Slepyshev's spot on the second line with Milan Lucic and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. That's likely where Puljujarvi will play against the Rangers. Read more in the game preview, coming out later today.